THIRTY-THIRD BIENNIAT SESSION 
2 9T 
finally parted ns. There has never been the slightest word or feeling be- 
tween us except of the truest and most lovable friendship. Living in Ross 
County, Ohio, as children we were practically brought up in our father’s 
orchards, which were the best in all that vicinity. We, together, ate and 
talked about, in our boyish way, the best apples, pears, peaches and other 
fruits that were then known, and thus began our study of American pomol- 
ogy. This association was delightful to us up to the last conference we had 
in his office in Washington, shortly before his death. 
Mr. Irwin was for more than twenty years past one of the assistant 
pomologists of the U. S. Department of Agriculture at Washington. When 
organizing the Division of Pomology I chose him to be one of the office force, 
because of his lifelong contact with fruits of many kinds in several parts of 
the country and the deep interest he took in their study. His official work 
was to study, identify, describe and record the various specimens that came 
from all parts of this country and from abroad as well. He was most expert 
and very accurate in this work. The good service that he rendered his country- 
men and the pomological world will never be fully known, because of his mod- 
est manner. His opinion was sought by everyone who had opportunity to know 
of his ability. At fruit fairs he often acted as judge and always in the most 
intelligent and acceptable manner. 
He became a member of the American Pomological Society in 1891 
and although not one of the conspicuous members he was a student of po- 
mology whose opinion was valued above the average of its membership. He 
is missed by his fellow workers in the field of practical and scientific pomolo- 
gy. The last act of his life was to graft and plant out a collection of about 200 
varieties of tree fruits many of which were rare. It was his intention to 
plant the trees when grown in an experimental orchard, but the fatal “white 
plague” carried him away from the labor he loved and a host of friends who 
mourn the loss. 
Mr. Irwin was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 21st, 1844 and lived there 
up to manhood, when he moved to Chanute, Kansas, and from there returned 
to the old home in Ohio, whence he came to the office in Washington. His 
life up to that time had been spent on the farm in active work, largely of a 
horticultural nature, and it was well spent. He left a widow, one son and 
three daughters to revere his memory and thousands of friends, of whom 
I am one, who misses him daily. 
H. E. VD. 
Norman J. Colman. 
Since our last meeting this society has lost one of its oldest members 
by the death of Norman J. Colman of St. Louis, Missouri, Nov. 3rd, 1911. 
He was born on a farm near Richfield Springs, New York, May 16th, 1827 
and gave up his life, which was spent in the most useful manner, at the ripe 
age of nearly eighty-five years. He educated himself for the practice of 
law and following the spirit of western pioneering went to Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, in 1847, where he taught school for a short time and then practiced 
law at New Albany, Indiana until 1852. From there he went to St. Louis, 
